No more freezing in the pews! Warmer welcome at Assynt and Stoer Parish Church after new heating installed
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Assynt and Stoer Parish Church in Lochinver recently held a service of dedication and thanksgiving to mark its reopening after renovation work.
The church building, which was without a permanent minister for 18 years until Rev Iain MacLeod’s appointment in May 2020, required attention for a number of issues, including plaster breaking away from the walls and an ineffective heating system. The refurbishment included rewiring, a new under pew heating system, replastering and repainting.
The toilet was upgraded and some pews were taken out to provide for an IT desk and a tea/coffee area. St David’s High Kirk in Dundee donated the pew cushions and a new carpet was laid.
Assynt and Stoer Parish Church was built in 1845 in Nairn as St Ninian’s Episcopal Church and when it became unused in the late nineteenth19th century, it was bought by the Gordon family of Nairn, who also had Lochinver connections, taken down and transported by sea to Lochinver where it was rebuilt in 1903.
Mr MacLeod was so taken by the story that he commissioned artist and storyteller Lizzie McDougall to create a 3ft square artwork commemorating the move.
The completed artwork was unveiled by Ronald Gordon of the Gordon family this summer, when it was first displayed to the public along with 16 smaller paintings by pupils at Lochinver Primary School.
Following the refurbishment, it will now be on permanent display on the wall of the church.
Assynt and Stoer Parish minister Rev Iain MacLeod said: “It has been great to see the building looking like it was when it was first opened here in 1903, but with the enhancements of an economical heating system and our IT desk. It has become a great venue for the community.
“Over the next few weeks, we will be holding a series of events, such as Lochinver Primary School’s premiere of their Christmas Video Drama, a Songs of Hope Musical evening, and Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve. It will be great to see the church bringing joy and hope to so many people over this very special season.”
The Songs of Hope Christmas musical event with a group of just under a dozen local singers will take place on December 22 at 7pm, taking advantage of both the church building’s excellent acoustics and new lighting system.
The Lochinver Primary School Christmas service will also take place on the 22nd at 2pm with the premiere of their video drama "Preparing the Way".
The church will also host a Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight on December 24 at 7pm and a Christmas Day service at 11am.
